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Perkins took his hat and cane and moved toward the door。 The violinist
arose and extended his hand wearily。 ‘‘Good…day'' came simultaneously；
then ‘‘I'm off。 We'll turn 'em away to…morrow； see if we don't！''
Whereupon Perkins left Diotti alone in his misery。
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The Fifth String
IV
It was the evening of the fourteenth； In front of the Academy a strong…
lunged and insistent tribe of gentry； known as ticket speculators； were
reaping a rich harvest。 They represented a beacon light of hope to many
tardy patrons of the evening's entertainment； especially to the man who
had forgotten his wife's injunction ‘‘to be sure to buy the tickets on the
way down town； dear； and get them in the family circle； not too far back。''
This man's intentions were sincere； but his newspaper was unusually
interesting that morning。 He was deeply engrossed in an article on the
causes leading to matrimonial infelicities when his 'bus passed the
Academy box…office。
He was six blocks farther down town when he finished the article； only
to find that it was a carefully worded advertisement for a new patent
medicine； and of course he had not time to return。 ‘‘Oh； well；'' said he；
‘‘I'll get them when I go up town to…night。''
But he did not。 So with fear in his heart and a red…faced woman on his
arm he approached the box…office。 ‘‘Not a seat left；'' sounded to his hen…
pecked ears like the concluding words of the black…robed judge： ‘‘and may
the Lord have mercy upon your soul。'' But a reprieve came； for one of the
aforesaid beacon lights of hope rushed forward； saying： ‘‘I have two good
seats； not far back； and only ten apiece。'' And the gentleman with fear in
his heart and the red…faced woman on his arm passed in。
They saw the largest crowd in the history of the Academy。 Every seat
was occupied； every foot of standing room taken。 Chairs were placed in
the side aisles。 The programs announced that it was the second appearance
in America of Angelo Diotti； the renowed Tuscan violinist。
The orchestra had perfunctorily ground out the overture to ‘‘Der
Freischuetz；'' the baritone had stentorianly emitted ‘‘Dio Possente；'' the
soprano was working her way through the closing measures of the mad
scene from ‘‘Lucia；'' and Diotti was number four on the program。 The
conductor stood beside his platform； ready to ascend as Diotti appeared。
The audience； ever ready to act when those on the stage cease that
occupation； gave a splendid imitation of the historic last scene at the
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The Fifth String
Tower of Babel。 Having accomplished this to its evident satisfaction； the
audience proceeded； like the closing phrase of the ‘‘Goetterdaemmerung''
Dead March； to become exceedingly quietthen expectant。
This expectancy lasted fully three minutes。 Then there were some
impatient handclappings。 A few persons whispered： ‘‘Why is he late？''
‘‘Why doesn't he come？'' ‘‘I wonder where Diotti is；'' and then came
unmistakable signs of impatience。 At its height Perkins appeared；
hesitatingly。 Nervous and jerky he walked to the center of the stage； and
raised his hand begging silence。 The audience was stilled。
‘‘Ladies and gentlemen；'' he falteringly said； ‘‘Signor Diotti left his
hotel at seven o'clock and was driven to the Academy。 The call…boy rapped
at his dressing…room； and not receiving a reply； opened the door to find the
room empty。 We have despatched searchers in every direction and have
sent out a police alarm。 We fear some accident has befallen the Signor。 We
ask your indulgence for the keen disappointment； and beg to say that your
money will be refunded at the box…office。''
Diotti had disappeared as completely as though the earth had
swallowed him。
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The Fifth String
V
My Dearest Sister： You doubtless were exceedingly mystified and
troubled over the report that was flashed to Europe regarding my sudden
disappearance on the eve of my second concert in New York。
Fearing； sweet Francesca； that you might mourn me as dead； I sent the
cablegram you received some weeks since； telling you to be of good heart
and await my letter。 To make my action thoroughly understood I must give
you a record of what happened to me from the first day I arrived in
America。 I found a great interest mani… fested in my premiere； and socially
everything was done to make me happy。
Mrs。 James Llewellyn； whom； you no doubt remember； we met in
Florence the winter of 18； immediately after I reached New York
arranged a reception for me； which was elegant in the extreme。 But from
that night dates my misery。
You ask her name？Mildred Wallace。 Tell me what she is like； I hear
you say。 Of graceful height； willowy and exquisitely molded； not over
twenty… four； with the face of a Madonna； wondrous eyes of darkest blue；
hair indescribable in its maze of tawny color in a word； the perfection of
womanhood。 In half an hour I was her abject slave； and proud in my
serfdom。 When I returned to the hotel that evening I could not sleep。 Her
image ever was before me； elusive and shadowy。 And yet we seemed to
grow farther and farther apartshe nearer heaven； I nearer earth。
The next evening I gave my first and what I fear may prove my last
concert in America。 The vision of my dreams was there； radiant in rarest
beauty。 Singularly enough； she was in the direct line of my vision while I
played。 I saw only her； played but for her； and cast my soul at her feet。 She
sat indifferent and silent。 ‘‘Cold？'' you say。 No！ No！ Francesca； not cold；
superior to my poor efforts。 I realized my limitations。 I questioned my
genius。 When I returned to bow my acknowledgments for the most
generous applause I have ever received； there was no sign on her part that
I had interested her； either through my talent or by appeal to her curiosity。
I hoped against hope that some word might come from her； but I was
doomed to disappointment。 The critics were fulsome in their praise and the
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The Fifth String
public was lavish with its plaudits； but I was abjectly miserable。 Another
sleepless night and I was determined to see her。 She received me most
graciously； although I fear she thought my visit one of vanitywounded
vanity and me petulant because of her lack of appreciation。
Oh； sister mine； I knew better。 I knew my heart craved one word；
however matter…of…fact； that would rekindle the hope that was dying
within me。
Hesitatingly； and like a clumsy yokel； I blurted： ‘‘I have been
wondering whether you cared for the performance I gave？''
‘‘It certainly ought to make little difference to you；'' she replied； ‘‘the
public was enthusiastic enough in its endorsement。''
‘‘But I want your opinion；'' I pleaded。
‘‘My opinion would not at all affect the almost unanimous verdict；
‘‘she replied calmly。
‘‘And；'' I urged desperately； ‘‘you were not affected in the least？''
Very coldly she answered； ‘‘Not in the least；'' and then fearlessly； like
a princess in the Palace of Truth： ‘‘If ever a man comes who can awaken
my heart； frankly and honestly I will confess it。''
‘‘Perhaps such a one lives；'' I said；
but has yet to reach the height to win youyour''
‘‘Speak it；'' she said； ‘‘to win my love！''
‘‘Yes；'' I cried； startled at her candor； ‘‘to win your love。'' Hope slowly
rekindled within my breast； and then with half…closed eyes； and wooingly；
she said：
‘‘No drooping Clytie could be more constant th